cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) is a bZIP transcription factor that activates target genes through cAMP response elements. CREB mediates signals from numerous physiological stimuli, resulting in regulation of a broad array of cellular responses. Despite the fact that CREB is expressed in numerous tissues, it plays a particularly important regulatory role in the nervous system: neuronal survival, precursor proliferation, neurite outgrowth, neuronal differentiation in certain neuronal populations and mediator of learning and memory in several organisms. CREB is activated by phosphorylation at Ser133 by various signaling pathways including ERK and Ca2+.
